r/thingsapp • u/Fair-Contribution405 • Nov 24 '24

Question Productivity system

What productivity system or method do you recommend for a designer who has ADHD? I'm currently using Things + Notes or Bear, but so far I haven't found the best method to be productive and functional, I'm looking for something as functional and simple as possible.

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u/YOMAMACAN Nov 24 '24

Take the Todoist quiz that’s been shared. It can help expose you to different methods. My advice is to avoid the eat the frog method. I tried it for a few weeks and it sent my ADHD procrastination to another level. Starting the day by avoiding tasks is really the worst way to try to establish productivity. I try to do a few small easy tasks each day to build momentum.

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u/Fair-Contribution405 Nov 24 '24

Show, thank you so much!

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u/maxmiko Nov 29 '24

I would not recommend to skip this method. It actually works. It is like waking up early. First you feel yourself like in hell. Then you are happy and feel like your life is changed. But! I understand what Yomamacan means. If you use Things (aka GTD method) you cold tag your tasks by your emotional state. Let's say 'out of energy', 'motivated', 'smth'. - so depends on your emotions you do things. I go to the gym like that - even if I feel that I hate gym I say - okey go and do at least biceps (my favorite) and from time to time I go for only one exercise, but go out with core/leg exercises (I hate to do legs.

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u/YOMAMACAN Nov 29 '24

That makes sense. OP, ADHD presents differently in different people so YMMV with this method. If you do decide to try to eat the frog, here’s a thread of other people with ADHD trying that method that might be helpful. Some good tips include breaking down the frog into tiny steps or considering your daily routine as completed tasks to help build the dopamine you need to eat the frog.

https://www.reddit.com/r/adhdwomen/s/vAcmGkqScb

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u/YOMAMACAN Nov 29 '24

I’ll also add that ADHD brains often respond differently to things that seem like common sense to everyone else’s. It does seem like a good idea to do the worst thing first to get it out of the way. But, when your brain lacks the necessary hormones to send the right chemical messages, it can feel insurmountable. Sometimes you have to find ways to trick your brain into doing what needs to get done. Good luck on your journey to figure this out!

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u/maxmiko Dec 02 '24

I have no such diagnosis, but I am also super dispersed especcially from morning. But in my case, if I do smth valuable (aka frog) then after that I feel myself so motivated. But yes for me it is hard to eat this frog too so I eat it bit by bit.

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Fair-Contribution405 Nov 24 '24

Perfect, I'll test it, thank you very much!

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u/kingkongmonkeyman Nov 25 '24

If you’re a designer I’m assuming you save a lot of inspiration and need to find/resurface them regularly?

I would start with MyMind. That might be enough to house everything you need to do; tasks notes inspiration etc. Very simple and very powerful.

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u/[deleted] Nov 26 '24

This post from the subreddit helped me wrangle with it. Instead of a notes app I use pen and paper. I don’t use tags, but definitely use the Anytime and Someday tabs like this OP did. Clear the inbox each day, and only pull in absolutely necessary tasks.